China issues measures to regulate foreign investment in mineral exploration enterprises 

The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) jointly launched the Administrative Measures on Foreign Investment in Chinese Mineral Exploration Enterprises on October 21.

According to the measures, commercial management departments at all levels and MLR will take charge of supervising and managing the operating activities of foreign-invested mineral resources exploration enterprises.

It is stipulated that Chinese investors may make their own legal exploring rights and related geological exploration materials as investment or corporation conditions with foreign investors.

However, Chinese investors should abide by relevant regulations if they make an investment based on the state-held mining rights. The measures stress that mining companies conducting controlled mineral resources specified in the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries should receive examination and management of MOF before letting in foreign capital. Other exploration companies will be examined and managed by local commercial departments.

Foreign investor taking its Chinese mineral resources exploration assets to list overseas should keep paper record in MOF and MLR.